The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the registration and release of 57 high-yielding crop varieties and one locally developed chicken breed to farmers as part of efforts to strengthen food production and improve nutritional well-being across the country.
The approval was announced by the Chairman of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries (NVRC), Prof. O. O. Olufajo, during the Committee’s 36th meeting held on 26 March 2026 at Lafia Hall and Apartments, Apata, Ibadan.
The meeting was organised by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB).
57 Crop Varieties Approved for Release
The approval followed recommendations from two technical sub-committees responsible for evaluating crop varieties and livestock breeds/fisheries.
The Technical Sub-Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, chaired by Prof. S. G. Ado, presented its recommendations on the new crop varieties. The Technical Sub-Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Livestock Breeds/Fisheries, chaired by Prof. W. Akin Hassan, submitted recommendations on the chicken breed.
The newly approved varieties were developed by a combination of research institutes, universities and private seed companies, reflecting the contribution of different stakeholders to agricultural research and crop improvement in Nigeria.
The 57 crop varieties cover 14 crops:
- Soybean – 1 variety
- Pepper – 1 variety
- Sorghum – 1 variety
- Potato – 1 variety
- Yam – 2 varieties
- Onion – 6 varieties
- Tomato – 5 varieties
- Rice – 5 varieties
- Eggplant – 3 varieties
- Musa species – 4 varieties
- Cotton – 6 varieties
- Maize – 14 varieties
- Groundnut – 4 varieties
- Cowpea – 4 varieties
The diversity of crops represented in the releases provides farmers with more improved options suited to different production needs and agricultural environments.
Locally Developed Chicken Breed Also Released
In addition to the crop varieties, the NVRC approved the registration and release of a locally developed meat-type chicken breed.
The breed was recognised for its distinctive characteristics, including high body weight at 10 weeks, good carcass characteristics and tolerance to heat stress.
Speaking on the development, Prof. W. Akin Hassan highlighted the potential of the chicken breed and noted that plans were being made for mass production to make the breed more widely available to farmers.
He also commended the animal geneticists and breeders whose work contributed to the development and successful registration of the breed.
Encouraging Farmers to Adopt Improved Varieties
Prof. Olufajo called on extension officers to ensure that farmers are adequately informed about the newly released varieties and their potential benefits.
He encouraged farmers to take advantage of the improved crop varieties to increase agricultural production, while urging research institutions, breeders, geneticists and other stakeholders to continue developing technologies and improved genetic materials that can contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The registration and release process provides an important link between agricultural research and farmers, ensuring that improved varieties developed through research can move from breeding programmes into practical agricultural production.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Agricultural Production
The 36th NVRC meeting brought together Committee members, farmers, researchers, breeders, geneticists and other relevant stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
The release of the 57 crop varieties and one chicken breed represents another step in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural production system. By making improved genetic materials available to farmers, the initiative supports efforts to increase productivity, improve food availability and enhance the nutritional value of agricultural production.
Continued collaboration among research institutions, universities, private sector organisations, breeders, extension officers and farmers will remain important in ensuring that improved varieties and breeds reach the farmers who need them and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food and agricultural development.
